Effect of 20-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenoic and Arachidonic Acids on Differentiation of Neurospora crassa

Comparative analysis of the influence of arachidonic acid and its derivatives, 3-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenoic and 20-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenoic acids, on the formation of sexual and asexual reproductive structures in Neurospora crassa demonstrated that the presence and location of the hydroxyl group in unsaturated fatty acid determine the biological effect of the compound. In the presence of 5 μM of arachidonic acid, 20-HETE, and 3-HETE, vegetative spore formation in the light decreased by 45, 31, and 40%, respectively, indicating a similarity in the mechanisms of their action on the light-dependent asexual reproduction of the fungus. However, the effects of these compounds on the sexual process of N. crassa were radically different. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed a fourfold increase in the monounsaturated oleic acid content in N. crassa cells after the addition of arachidonic acid. In the same time, the effect was not observed after the addition of 20-HETE. On the other hand, the increase in the linoleic acid content in the fungal mycelia was higher with 20-HETE.